A Multi-Scalar Analysis of European Cities

Medium-sized European cities are facing serious problems in terms of the exploitation of local resources (land, water, air). In this article, we observe existing links between sustainable development and cities’ economic and structural features. We adopt a multi-scalar perspective, since the theme of sustainable development involves both urban areas and the wider regions surrounding them. First, we identify clusters of urban areas that are homogenous in structural terms and we then compare these results at different territorial scales. When the sustainable development of the clusters is observed, a clear ‘geography of resource exploitation’ emerges, consistent with both urban economic and environmental indicators. Then, as a possible response to these problems, we suggest a typical tool adopted by planners: that is, polycentrism. Rather than considering it as a simple morphological feature of European urban systems, we look upon it as a possible mode for the governance of networks of medium-sized cities. In the last section of the paper, we analyse the economic and structural drivers that explain potential for polycentric integrationpolycentrism; medium-sized cities; sustainable development; cluster analysis;

A multi-scalar analysis of European cities

In this article, we observe existing links between sustainable development and cities’ structural features. First, we identify cluster of cities that are homogenous in structural terms. We then adopt a multiscalar perspective. We compare the results at different territorial scales (LAU-2 and NUTS-3 level). When the sustainable development of the clusters is observed, a clear ‘geography of resource exploitation’ emerges. Then, as a possible response to these problems, we suggest a tool adopted by planners: that is, polycentrism. We look upon it as a possible mode for the governance of networks of medium-sized cities. In particular, we analyse the structural drivers that explain potential for polycentric integration.Medium-sized cities; polycentrism; sustainable development; cluster analysis

Mapping changes on agricultural and rural areas: an ex-post evaluation of the EU membership for Hungary

Several progresses have been made in evaluating the development policies for rural areas in the last years; many indicators1 have been set for assessing the effectiveness of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and Rural Development Policies (RDPs) and their role on the convergence process of the EU members, but a shared definition of rurality is still missing. The results obtained at the level of growth and development by the most lagging behind areas, are far from being satisfactory (Brasili, 2005). The evaluation of the policies and programmes introduced evidenced lack of institutional planning and implementing abilities, and an insufficient targeting of policies and payments (Mantino, 2010). The experience of the 10 New Member States (NMSs)2 showed how the current CAP and Cohesion policy, designed for the EU-15 (Csaki et al. 2010), aren’t enough for addressing the regional specificities, hindering a process of development which is already weakened by the effects of the unfinished transition. This paper aims at offering a methodological contribution for evaluating the EU membership, with particular attention to the CAP, in Hungary. We chose this Country among the 10 NMSs because of the relevance (96%) of the rural areas on the total land3, and given the historical socio-economic role played by agriculture. The authors believe that more targeted – and therefore efficient – policies for agricultural and rural areas require a deeper knowledge of their structural and dynamic characteristics. Therefore, in order to identify the changes occurred before (2003) and after (2007) the EU membership on agricultural and rural areas, we use the following multivariate statistics methodologies: Principal Components Analysis, applied to the set of 42 variables, and Cluster Analysis on the results obtained by the Principal Components Analysis. Then, we offer a preliminary evaluation of the distribution of Single Area Payment Scheme (SAPS)4, using the information on the applications provided at the County level by the Hungarian Paying Agency to show correlations with the leading factors.Agricultural and rural development policy evaluation, rural areas, policy targeting, EU enlargement, Agricultural and Food Policy, O18, P25, R58,

Regional patterns in the achievement of the Lisbon Strategy: a comparison between polycentric regions and monocentric ones

Polycentrism is a common feature of European urban systems. Lately, the concept has assumed a more normative relevance and it has been often considered as a pre-requisite for a more sustainable and balanced development across Europe. However, the effects of polycentrism on other main European Strategies (such as the Lisbon Strategy, aimed at increasing European competitiveness and social cohesion) are not so clear. Therefore, the paper tries to highlight the relationships between a regional polycentric development and the achievement of the Lisbon Strategy’s targets. Referring to a sample of 75 regions belonging to France, Germany, Italy and Spain, we have first measured the extent of polycentrism, by estimating through OLS the slope of the rank-size distribution of cities within each region. Then, we have performed a principal component analysis (PCA) in order to highlight the main features characterising the performance of each region according to Lisbon Strategy’s targets. Looking at the correlations between the extent of polycentrism and the achievement of the Lisbon Strategy’s targets, we have found that the former is significantly correlated both with the spread of manufacture and with low investments in human capital and innovation.the Lisbon Strategy, polycentrism, rank-size distribution, PCA

Regional Patterns in the Achievement of the Lisbon Strategy: a Comparison Between Polycentric Regions and Monocentric Ones

Polycentrism is a common feature of European urban systems. Lately, the concept has assumed a more normative relevance and it has been often considered as a pre?requisite for a more sustainable and balanced development across Europe. However, the effects of polycentrism on other main European Strategies (such as the Lisbon Strategy, aimed at increasing European competitiveness and social cohesion) are not so clear. Therefore, the paper tries to highlight the relationships between a regional polycentric development and the achievement of the Lisbon Strategy’s targets. Referring to a sample of 75 regions belonging to France, Germany, Italy and Spain, we have first measured the extent of polycentrism, by estimating through OLS the slope of the rank-size distribution of cities within each region. Then, we have performed a principal component analysis (PCA) in order to highlight the main features characterising the performance of each region according to Lisbon Strategy’s targets. Looking at the correlations between the extent of polycentrism and the achievement of the Lisbon Strategy’s targets, we have found that the former is significantly correlated both with the spread of manufacture and with low investments in human capital and innovationthe Lisbon Strategy, polycentrism, rank-size distribution, PCA

Amor populi. Una rilettura del De civitate Dei di Agostino

Il declino della cultura romana diventa infatti un\u2019occasione che il vescovo d\u2019Ippona non vuole e non pu\uf2 lasciarsi sfuggire, per mostrare tanto ai pagani quanto ai cristiani il diverso cammino che l\u2019umanit\ue0 ha bisogno di intraprendere per interpretare e comprendere se stessa. Lo sconforto dei pagani, e di quanti accusavano i cristiani di aver indebolito le tradizioni e gli usi del popolo romano, diviene l\u2019occasione per provare a percorrere un\u2019altra strada, capace di accompagnare e risollevare l\u2019uomo dalle tenebre dell\u2019angoscia e dello smarrimento interiore. Una via, quella disegnata da Agostino, in cui \ue8 espressa una radicale fiducia nell\u2019umano e nella sua capacit\ue0 di rispondere in prima persona circa la sua identit\ue0 e il suo destino

Immigration of PECO Workers in Italy and Umbria

The progressive opening of the European Union towards the Centre East Europe and some Mediterranean countries, is a necessary process for reasons of social, economic and political stability

Le specificità del sistema agro-alimentare nella ricostruzione post-sisma

Anche il cosiddetto ‘cratere agricolo’ ha pagato un prezzo molto elevato a seguito degli eventi sismici del maggio 2012 in Emilia. Tutte le principali produzioni agro-industriali del territorio hanno subito gravi danni: si pensi ai caseifici e magazzini di stagionatura per la produzione di Parmigiano Reggiano, alle cantine e acetaie, alle celle frigorifere per la conservazione dei prodotti ortofrutticoli. Il presente lavoro analizza i principali elementi di specificità che, rispetto ad una forte vulnerabilità settoriale, hanno caratterizzato la ricostruzione del patrimonio agricolo e agro-industriale del cratere. Grande attenzione è data, ad esempio, alla risposta istituzionale per la ricostruzione. Come il settore industriale, infatti, anche il settore agro-alimentare ha beneficiato dei contributi per la ricostruzione attraverso la piattaforma SFINGE. Tuttavia, esso ha altresì beneficiato delle risorse stanziate attraverso il FEASR (Fondo Europeo Agricolo per lo Sviluppo Rurale): l’attivazione di specifiche misure ha permesso di sostenere l’intero territorio del cratere del sisma. Un ulteriore elemento di specificità evidenziato è rappresentato dal tema dell’associazionismo (attivazione di accordi di filiera, interventi di solidarietà e mutualistici) e dal ruolo ricoperto dai Consorzi di Tutela delle produzioni tipiche. Il lavoro dunque evidenzia come, nonostante le criticità riscontrate, il settore agro-alimentare abbia saputo cogliere alcune opportunità dall’evento sismico, soprattutto in termini di capacità innovativa. Abstract: The 2012 earthquake in Emilia-Romagna (Italy) affected a broad area that is characterized by the presence of important industrial and agricultural districts. Indeed, dairies producing Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, firms producing balsamic vinegar of Modena (acetaie) as well as wineries have been particularly damaged. This work focuses on those specific features of agricultural activities that have affected the reconstruction process as well. According to those specificities, the paper points out regulatory interventions that were approved, aiming to guarantee appropriate financial support to the agri-industrial activities damaged by the earthquake. Specific focus is devoted to the role played by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). Eventually, the role played by the cooperative system is stressed as well. According to this analysis, agri-food sector has been proven quite innovative, despite many limits affecting it

Be (and have) good neighbours! Factors of vulnerability in the case of multiple hazards

For any given territory, disaster risk is a function of hazard, exposure and vulnerability. The conceptual frameworks for these dimensions are largely debated in the scientific studies, focusing on spatial and temporal references and on system perspective of risk assessment. Despite broad in their scope, the analytical frameworks proposed to analyse policy programmes to reduce risk generally miss that risk indicators should be grounded on geographical and spatial features of the neighbouring territories and not only on communities' behaviour, and their resilience, as the paradigmatic solution in front of system events in areas prone to natural multi-hazard. The definition of "community" and of "neighbourhood" that are relevant for risk assessment cannot be simply defined in terms of absolute size of population or economic activity of individual local units under analysis or of the formal aggregation provided by jurisdictional agreements on specific functions. The paper presents an empirical analysis on spatially-lagged data in Italy, which was massively hit by adverse natural events in the last decade. It suggests to focus on social and material vulnerability, by using the comprehensive indicator at municipality level elaborated by the Italian Institute of Statistics. At the municipality-level, the analysis shows a positive correlation between multi-hazards, on the one hand, and spatially-lagged exposure and vulnerability, on the other. Thus, conditions in neighbouring municipalities would matter in prioritizing policy interventions aiming at mitigating hazard impacts, reducing vulnerability and enhancing communities' resilience. The definition of significant neighbouring spaces opens to a conceptualization of vulnerability grounded on a relational perspective in the creation of collective goods. This could enhance more effective Disaster Risk Reduction programmes

Socio-economic effects of an earthquake: does sub-regional counterfactual sampling matter in estimates? An empirical test on the 2012 Emilia-Romagna earthquake

Estimates of macroeconomic effects of natural disaster have a long tradition in economic literature (Albala-Bertrand, 1993a; 1993b; Tol and Leek, 1999; Chang and Okuyama, 2004; Benson and Clay, 2004; Str\uf6mberg, 2007; UNISDR, 2009; Cuaresma, 2009; Cavallo and Noy, 2009; Cavallo et al., 2010; The United Nations and The World Bank, 2010). After the seminal contribution of Abadie et al. (2010) in identifying synthetic control groups, with DuPont and Noy (2015) a new strand has been opened in estimating long term effects of natural disaster at a sub-regional scale, at which the Japan case provides plenty of significant economic variables. Although the same methodology has been applied in estimating the impact of earthquakes in Italy (Barone et al. 2013; Barone and Mocetti, 2014), the analysis has been limited to the regional scale. In our paper, due to a lack in long-term time series data at municipality level, this paper cannot adopt the methodology suggested by Abadie et al. (2010). Nevertheless, it provides a test bed for assessing the relevance of a sub-regional counterfactual evaluation of a natural disaster\u2019s impact. By taking the 2012 Emilia-Romagna earthquake as a case study, we propose a comprehensive framework to answer some critical questions arising in such analysis. Firstly, we address the problem of identifying the proper boundaries of the area affected by an earthquake. Secondly, through a cluster analysis we show the importance of intra area differences in terms of their socio-economic features. Thirdly, counterfactual analysis is assessed by adopting a pre- and post-earthquake difference-in-difference comparison of average data in clusters within and outside the affected area. Moreover, three frames to apply propensity score matching at municipality level are also adopted, by taking the control group of municipalities (outside the affected area): (a) within the same cluster, (b) within the same region, (c) in the whole country. The four variables considered in the counterfactual analysis are: total population; foreigner population; total employment in manufacturing local units; employment in small and medium-sized manufacturing local units (0 to 49 employees). All the counterfactual tests largely show a similar result: socio-economic effects are heterogeneous across the affected area, where some clusters of municipalities perform better, in terms of increase of population and employment after the earthquake, against some others. This result sharply contrasts with the average results we observe by comparing the whole affected area with the non-affected one or with the entire region